Sulfotransferase Gene Families and Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants

In plants, sulfotransferases comprise a multi-gene family of enzymes that catalyse the transfer of a sulfonate group from the universal sulphate donor 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) to a wide array of acceptor molecules, including hormones, secondary metabolites and xenobiotics. These modifications modulate solubility, biological activity and subcellular targeting, thereby influencing growth, development and defence mechanisms. Genome-wide surveys have revealed between two dozen and several hundred SOT genes per species, which cluster into distinct phylogenetic subfamilies defined by conserved PAPS-binding motifs and substrate-recognition regions. Comparative analyses across Arabidopsis, Brassica, Solanum and Gossypium species confirm lineage-specific expansions driven by tandem and segmental duplications. Promoter dissection indicates an enrichment of stress-responsive cis-elements, suggesting that many SOTs are transcriptionally responsive to drought, salinity, temperature extremes and hormonal cues such as abscisic acid. Functional assays in transgenic lines, gene-silenced mutants and co-expression networks have begun to elucidate roles in flavonoid sulphation, detoxification of reactive carbonyls, modulation of stomatal aperture and maintenance of redox homeostasis. By fine-tuning key metabolic intermediates and signalling molecules, SOTs contribute to abiotic stress tolerance and offer promising targets for crop improvement in the face of climatic extremes.

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Sulfotransferase Gene Families and Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in sulfotransferase gene families and abiotic stress responses in plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Sulfotransferase (SOT): Enzyme that transfers a sulfonate group from PAPS to hydroxyl or amine acceptors, altering solubility and activity of target compounds.

3'-Phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS): Universal sulphate donor molecule used by SOTs for sulfonation reactions.

cis-acting element: Short DNA sequence in a gene promoter that binds transcription factors to regulate gene expression in response to internal and external signals.

Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR): Sensitive method for measuring gene expression levels by quantifying cDNA amplified from RNA templates.

References

1. Genome-wide analysis of sulfotransferase genes and their responses to abiotic stresses in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). PLOS ONE (2019).
2. Investigation and Computational Analysis of the Sulfotransferase (SOT) Gene Family in Potato (Solanum tuberosum): Insights into Sulfur Adjustment for Proper Development and Stimuli Responses. Plants (2021).
3. Identification and characterization of a novel abiotic stress responsive sulphotransferase gene (OsSOT9) from rice. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment (2016).
4. Identification and characterization analysis of sulfotransferases (SOTs) gene family in cotton (Gossypium) and its involvement in fiber development. BMC Plant Biology (2019).